Richie Gray has been handed a British & Irish Lions lifeline after tests suggested he should be back from his hamstring injury in about eight weeks.

Gray was taken off on a stretcher in the first-half of Scotland's 28-18 loss to Wales and Scott Johnson confirmed post-match that Gray was "in a pretty bad way" and that the lock was set for a "significant time away from the game". But Scotland doctor James Robson claims that Gray could be back in action before the end of the season.

"Richie underwent a scan at Spire Murrayfield Hospital this afternoon which confirmed the presence of a grade two tear of one of his hamstring muscles," Robson said. "The normal period of rehabilitation from injuries of this nature is in the region of eight weeks.

"We have kept his club medical team at Sale Sharks fully appraised of Richie's situation and he will now commence his recovery with his club with a view to playing before the end of the season."

The news will come as a relief for both Sale Sharks and the Lions. Sale are currently two points above basement side London Welsh in the Aviva Premiership and Gray would have played a key role in their fight against relegation.

It remains to be seen whether Lions boss Warren Gatland will take the lock to Australia in the summer but if Gray can return to the field before the end of the season then he has every chance of being part of the squad.